INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO INFORMATION (IDUAI) 2016 CELEBRATIONS

Every citizen has the right of access to information in the possession of the state or any organ or agency of the state except where the information is likely to prejudice the security or sovereignty of the state or interfere with the right to the privacy of any other person.This year 2016 was the first year of marking 28 September as the ''International Day for Universal Access to Information’’ (IDUAI), proclaimed by UNESCO Member States in November 2015 under the resolution 38 C/70.This resolution invites all member states, United Nations system organizations, and other international and regional organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and individuals, to celebrate the Day.

AFIC having been a key player in advocating for the UNESCO General conference that saw the adoption of the IDUAI, to mark the 1st official commemoration, together with its African Platform on Access to information (APAI) Working Group as well as Freedom of Information Advocates Network (FOIAnet) will implement activities across Africa and the world to mark the Day.

In Uganda, AFIC collaborated with HURINET, CIPESA and Office of the Prime minister to mark the day. AFIC’s specific objectives for this day were

• To create awareness of the international Day for Universal Access to Information as a platform to advance ATI.

• To disseminate a number of tools, online and offline Knowledge products ATI.

• To share findings and recommendations of the baseline study on ‘’Enhancing good governance through citizens’ access to information in Malawi, Uganda and Kenya’’

• To promote the relationship between internet freedom and advocacy for access to information amongst activists from various African Countries.

Photos taken during the conference celebrations held at Golf Course Hotel Kampala on 28th September 2016.